Calclacite

(repeating unit)Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2OIMA symbolCalc[1]Crystal systemMonoclinicIdentificationColorWhiteMohs scale hardness1.5LusterSilkyDiaphaneityTranslucentSpecific gravity1.5Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)Refractive indexnα = 1.468 nβ = 1.484 nγ = 1.515Birefringenceδ = 0.0472V angleMeasured: 80°, Calculated: 74°DispersionRelatively feebleReferences[2]

Calclacite is a mineral and an organic compound. Its name references the components, which are calcium ions (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and acetate CH3COO−.

Characteristics

Calclacite is an organic compound with chemical formula Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2O. It forms crystals in the monoclinic system, with silky hairlike efflorescences up to 4 cm long.

According to the Nickel-Strunz classification, calclacite is an organic acid salt and occurs with formicaite (calcium formate), acetamide, dashkovaite (magnesium acetate), paceite (calcium copper acetate) and hoganite (copper acetate).[2] It is white and its hardness on the Mohs scale is 1.5.

Formation

Calclacite is formed on samples of rocks, fossils, and on fragments of ceramics, by the action of acetic acid produced from the oak of the storage cabinets.[2]

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b c Mindat